standstill
Americannoun
-
standstills
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of standstill
First recorded in 1695–1705; noun use of verb phrase stand still
Explanation
When anything comes to a standstill, it stops moving, either literally coming to a motionless stop, or ceasing to make any progress. If you and your brother try to agree on what kind of pizza to order, but your negotiations come to a standstill, it means that neither one of you will budge or compromise, and you've reached a dead end. During rush hour on a busy highway, traffic often comes to a standstill — it simply stops. This "cessation of movement" meaning came first.
Vocabulary lists containing standstill
"All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury
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"The Experiment" and "The World Is in Their Hands"
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The First State of Being
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
While Gaza's wider recovery remains at a standstill, its tech workers give a glimpse of a brighter, possible future.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
The talks are also expected to touch on Gaza, as diplomatic efforts to kickstart the devastated Palestinian territory's reconstruction are at a standstill.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
With user growth across its family of apps already slowing to a standstill in the first quarter, adverse changes could be punishing to Meta’s core business.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
In the Strait of Hormuz, meanwhile, the Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday that two tankers attempting to transit the strait "were hit by explosions, resulting in massive fires that brought them to a standstill".
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
The thousands of acrobats, singers, dancers, and guests froze at a shocked standstill.
From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin
Measures could include debt standstills and sharing World Bank-I.M.F. debt sustainability analysis with all creditor nations simultaneously.
From New York Times ● Apr. 10, 2023
She also wants debt service standstills during restructuring negotiations and an expansion of the framework's remit as many countries holding the bulk of at-risk debt are not poor enough to currently qualify for relief.
From Reuters ● Feb. 17, 2022
The newly-released transcript also features an interview with Rosen in which Weinsheimer again brings the proceedings to several standstills.
From Salon ● Oct. 8, 2021
“More people are at risk every day as a result” of the standstills, said Avery Cohen, a mayoral spokeswoman.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 10, 2021
Her brain stammered; seemed to fly loose; came to sudden standstills.
From Tatterdemalion by John Galsworthy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
